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Tuesday, December 24, 2013

“Pursuant to the massive success of our strike action on 18th December,
2013, a meeting of UFBU was held in Hyderabad yesterday i.e. 23rd instant,
which was presided over by Com. K K Nair, Chairman of UFBU.

The meeting expressed its condolence over the sad and sudden demise of
Labour Minister Sri Sis Ram Ola who passed away recently.

The meeting congratulated all the Constituent Unions, their units and the
entire rank and file of members for the massive success of the strike on
18th December, 2013 which was meant to express our resentment over the
delay in the wage revision talks and against the inadequate offer made by the
IBA in response to the demand of the UFBU for a fair revision of wages looking
to the steep inflation. The strike was also meant to register our protest against
the unwarranted banking reform measures of the Government and demanding
reversal of these policies.

The meeting thanked all the Central Trade Unions for their support to our
strike action and also thanked the United Forum of Reserve Bank Officers and
Employees (AIRBEA, AIRBWF, AIRBOA) and All India Insurance Employees
Association for the solidarity and fraternal support to our struggle.

The Convenor informed that after issuance of strike notice on
2nd December 2013, IBA came with an initial offer of 5% increase on pay slip
components of all workmen and officers

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Full text of Circular No. UFBU/2013/11, dated 14.12.2013, issued by United Forum of Bank Unions----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Further to the call given by UFBU for All India Strike on 18th December, 2013, IBA held discussions with UFBU today in Mumbai. IBA was represented by Mr. T M Bhasin, Chairman of the Negotiating Committee, Mr. M V Tanksale, the newly appointed Chief Executive of IBA and other members of the Negotiating Committee. From UFBU, representatives of all our constituent unions were present.

From the IBA, it was stated that looking to the stress on the profitability

Friday, December 6, 2013

Officers’ Service Regulations – Fitment
on promotion from one Scale to a higher Scale Procedure for Fitment of pay of
officers on promotion from one scale to another.

1.At
the time of fitment of an officer on promotion to the higher scale of pay, the
number of increment he would have/had earned i.e., one increment each for
passing JAIIB/CAIIB Examination, as the case may be, shall be first reduced
from the existing pay of the concerned officer prior to his fitment in the
higher scale of pay on promotion. If, however, the officer is at the maximum of
the scale, the following procedure should be adopted:

(i)If
the stagnation at the maximum of the scale is less than one year, the officer
would not be drawing any Professional Qualification Pay. Then the number of
increments i.e., one increment for JAIIB/CAIIB, as the case may be, included in
his Basic Pay shall be reduced in the existing scale.

(ii)If
the stagnation at the maximum of the scale is for a year or more but for less
than 2 years, the officer would be drawing a Professional Qualification Pay of
Rs 410/- p.m. In such cases, if he had passed both JAIIB/CAIIB before the date
of promotion, then one increment shall be reduced in the existing scale. If,
however, such Professional Qualification Pay of Rs 410/- p.m. is for JAIIB
only, then no increment need be reduced from the existing scale.

2.If
the stagnation at the maximum of the scale is for 2 year or more, the officer
who has passed both JAIIB/CAIIB before the date of promotion, would be drawing
a Professional Qualification Pay of Rs 1030/- p.m. In this case, there would be
no scope for reducing the increments for JAIIB/CAIIB as even without CAIIB
increments the officer would be at the maximum of the scale.

Note: The
purpose of the above exercise is to determine as to what stage of scale of pay
the officer would havebeen, had he not been granted increments for
passing JAIIB/CAIIB.

All India Bank
Employees Association, the oldest and the largest trade union of bank employees
in India representing more than 5 lacs of bank employees working in public
sector banks, private banks, foreign banks, co-operative Banks and Regional
Rural Banks is observing 5th December, 2013 as All India Demands Day
to highlight the issue of huge increase in the bad loans in the Banks.

Increasing bad loans – effect of banking reforms: Banks are dealing with the hard-earned
savings of the people and today, the total Deposits in the Banks in India have
crossed Rs. 75 lacs crores. This
precious money of the people needs to be safeguarded and guaranteed by proper
regulations in the Banks. But the in the
name of reforms and liberalisation, banking regulations are being de-regulated. One of the main adverse effect of this
de-regulation is the increase in bad loans in the Banks where the big borrowers
take loans from the Banks and do not repay.

Monday, December 2, 2013

HR
& INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS

No.CIR/HR&IR/76/582/2011-12/2998

April 25, 2011

Designated Officers of Member Banks
which are

parties to Bipartite Settlement

Dear Sirs,

Fitment
formula on promotion from Clerical to
Officer cadre

We
invite reference to our circular No. PD/CIR/76/582/565 dated 12.8.2006
enclosing the formula for giving fitment to clerical staff on promotion to
officer cadre. Consequent upon the revision of the pay scales and allowances
for workmen staff under the Ninth Bipartite Settlement as also for officers
under the Officers’ Service Regulations w.e.f. 1.11.2007, a review of the
existing fitment formula had become necessary.

The
matter was considered by the Personnel Committee of IBA at its meeting held on
25th March 2011 and Managing Committee of IBA at its meeting held on
29th March 2011. The
Committees have approved the continuation of the 2006 model, as adapted to the
current pay scales, for fitment of clerical staff on promotion to officer cadre
in JMG Scale I on or after 1.11.2007. The new fitment formula with related
guidelines is enclosed in Annexure.

Sunday, December 1, 2013

CONVENTION OF CENTRAL TRADE UNIONSCLARION CALL FOR MORCHA TO PARLIAMENT ON 12.12.2013MOBILISE AND JOIN IN LARGE NUMBERS
*****************************************
Members have already been informed of the decisions taken in the
Convention of all the Central Trade Unions and various other independent trade
unions that was held in Delhi on 6th August, 2013, to which UFBU was also
invited and the representatives of all the constituent unions particiapted.
Members are also aware that a clarion call was given from the Convention to
organise a massive morcha to Parliament on 12th December, 2013 to focus the
following 10 point charter of demands:
• Concrete measures to contain price rise;
• Concrete measures for employment generation;
• Strict enforcement of labour laws;
• Universal social security cover for organized and unorganized workers and
creation of National Social Security Fund;
• Stoppage of disinvestment in Central and State PSUs / Undertakings;
• No Contractorisation of work of permanent / perennial nature and
payment of wages and benefits to the contract workers at the same rate
as available to the regular workers of the industry / establishment;
• Amendment of Minimum Wages Act to ensure universal coverage
irrespective of the schedules and fixation of statutory minimum wage at
not less than Rs.10, 000/- linked with cost price index;
• Remove all ceilings on payment and eligibility of Bonus, Provident Fund;
Increase the quantum of gratuity;
• Assured Pension for all;
• Compulsory registration of trade unions within a period of 45 days and
immediate ratification of the ILO Conventions Nos. 87 and 98.

Saturday, November 9, 2013

As
you are aware, presently, under our Bipartite Settlement, hospitalisation
expenses are reimbursed upto 100% for employees and 75% for eligible family
members as per the prescribed schedule of charges. In our Charter of Demands
for the 10th Bipartite Settlement, we have demanded for improvements
in the scheme to cover 100% of the expenses for self and family without any
restrictions. In response to our demand,
in the last round of discussions, IBA proposed introduction of Health Insurance
Scheme in lieu of the existing reimbursement scheme.

The
broad sketch of the proposed scheme
is as under:

Ø 100%
reimbursement or cashless settlement of hospital bills for self and dependent
family members with the following ceiling:

Saturday, October 12, 2013

Another round of
bipartite discussions was held today in Mumbai between IBA and UFBU on our
demands for wage revision. IBA was
represented by its Core Committee led by Shri R K Dubey, CMD, Canara Bank and
UFBU was represented by all the Nine Constituent Unions.

D.A. Formula:
Revision of Dearness Allowance formula has been discussed at length
since the CPI points under 1960-series are no longer compiled and published and
the DA payable is being arrived at after duly converting the Consumer Price
Index (CPI) points compiled under 2001-series.
UFBU has impressed upon the need to switch over to CPI 2001-series for
payment of DA and revision of DA on monthly basis. IBA said that they have to examine the matter
in detail before responding.

Reimbursement of Hospitalisation Expenses: Management wanted to know the response of the
UFBU on introduction of Medical Insurance Scheme.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Bank employees are asking wages equal to Central Government Employees, but they...........“the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence”CONFEDERATION'S VIEW ON 7th CPC -PRESS STATEMENTCONFEDERATION OF CENTRAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES & WORKERS(Central Head Quarters)1st Floor, North Avenue Post office Building, New Delhi - 110001

Dated – 25.09.2013

Central Government has announced the constitution of 7th Central Pay Commission. Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers has been raising this demand before the Government right from 2011 onwards and has conducted series of agitational programmes including Parliament March and one day nationwide strike on 12th December 2012.

Another round of bipartite talks took place today
in Mumbai between IBA and UFBU on our demands for wage revision. IBA was
represented by their Negotiating Committee led by its Chairman Shri T M Bhasin.
UFBU was represented by all our nine constituent unions. The meeting condoled
the death of Com. R J Sridharan, Chairman, AIBOA, who was in the negotiating
committee till 9th Bipartite Wage Revision.

The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and
discussions were fruitful. In the day-long discussions held, satisfactory
decisions on some of the important issues could be arrived at. Continuing the
discussions of the last round of talks held on 7th June, 2013, we emphasised
the need for IBA to expedite and conclude the settlement in a time bound
manner. We also asked them to react and respond to the issues like date of
effect for commencement of the revised wages, consumer price index point upto
which Dearness Allowance is to be merged with basic pay for construction of
revised pay scales, quantum of wage revision, etc.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

DETAILS ARE AS UNDER: “UFBU in its meeting held at Chennai on 4th July 2013, as a part of action programme, has decided to meet the Hon’ble Finance Minister in a delegation to bring to his notice the ongoing issues and seek his intervention. Accordingly, the delegation consisting the representatives of all the UFBU Constituents met Shri P. Chidambaram, Hon’ble Finance Minister in Delhi on 6th August 2013 and submitted a detailed memorandum on all our issues. The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. After minutely going through the contents of the memorandum, he responded that such of these issues which are to be addressed by IBA may be taken up in the ongoing negotiations on charter of demands and such of those involving policy decisions will be looked into by the Ministry. The text of the Memorandum dated 6th August 2013 submitted to the Hon’ble Finance Minister on our issues is appended below for information.” Sd/- (M. V. MURALI) CONVENOR --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Camp: New Delhi 6th August, 2013 To Shri. P. Chidambaram, Hon. Minister for Finance Government of India New Delhi. Dear Sir,

Sunday, July 7, 2013

UFBU Meeting was
held on 4th July 2013 in Chennai under the chairmanship of Com. Vinil Saxena,
President, National Confederation of Bank Employees (NCBE). The meeting deliberated at length, apart from
the issues being confronted by the bank employees and officers, the
developments at national level and its likely impact on Banking Industry.

It
was noted with serious concern the delay
in wage revision negotiations and the lack of seriousness on the part of
Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) in taking up the issues raised by the Unions in
the Common Charter of Demands.

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Many readers (especially junior employees) raise doubts about the meaning of “Merger of D.A at 4879 points” as mentioned in 07.03.2013 talks..Also comment on the delay in the process of wage revision talks.Hence I will post about the significane of merger of D.A. with Basic Pay,And the process of wage revision talks in the banking industry.Those who already know about these subjects may explain to their juniors in the branches.Others pl. read/understand and tell others.Before that for ur inderstanding I give below the details of how D.A is calculated.RE-POSTED:

In today's meeting, we demanded that there
should be a time bound programme to complete the negotiations without much
delay to arrive at the wage revision settlement at the earliest. IBA also
agreed with our views and informed that the same can be worked out by mutual
discussions. Today we also demanded that the wage revision should be effective
from 1st November 2012 and that the new pay scale should be constructed by merging
the DA at 4876 points i.e. the DA applicable to July- September 2012 quarter.
We also insisted that the IBA should make their offer on the percentage of wage
load acceptable to them. For this, the IBA informed us that they would consult
the higher authorities in the Government and inform us in the next round of
discussions. The IBA suggested that the pay scales could be constructed by
merging the DA applicable upto 2009. We did not agree to this proposal. This
issue will be discussed further.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

UFBU meeting was
held on 23.5.2013 at New Delhi in the AIBEA Office. Com. Ashwani Rana, (General Secretary of NOBW)
presided over the meeting. All the nine
constituent unions were present in the meeting.

A report on the
developments since the last meeting was placed by the Convener along with the
minutes of the previous meeting held on 31.1.2013, 22.2.2013 and 22.4.2013. He also outlined the issues to be taken up
with the Chairman of IBA in the afternoon.

The meeting
deliberated and took note of the attitude of IBA in dealing with the charter of
demands on wage revision submitted by the UFBU.
The meeting observed that even before any preliminary discussions could
take place on the demands raised by the unions, the IBA was keen to foist their
issues. The meeting pointed out that
while the UFBU would always willing to discuss any issue raised by the IBA with
an open mind, the same cannot take precedence over the demands for wage
revision.

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity is paid to Central Government employees under New Pension System (NPS) as it is paid under the old pension scheme.

The monthly annuity under the New Pension System (NPS) is only a replacement of pension on retirement and family pension of death after retirement.

The benefits of Death cum Retirement Gratuity (DCRG) and pension/family pension have been provisionally allowed, vide the Office Memorandum of Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare No. 38/41/06-P & PW(A) dated 5.5.2009 in respect of Central Government servants covered under NPS in cases where a Government Servant is retired on invalidation/disability and in the case of death of a Government servant in service on the same rates as are applicable under the old pension scheme Central Civil Service (Pension) Rules, 1972.

The retirement gratuity is payable to the retiring Government servant.

A minimum of 5 years’ qualifying service and eligibility to receive service gratuity/pension is essential to get this one time lump sum benefit.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

A
round of discussion was held today in Mumbai between IBA and UFBU on our
charter of demands for revision of wages and service conditions. The IBA was
represented by the negotiating team headed by Mr. T M Bhasin (CMD Indian Bank
and Senior Vice President, IBA). UFBU
was represented by the constituent unions.
NOBW could not be present due to their pre-fixed agitational programme
in Delhi.

During
this meeting, IBA provided the detailed data relating to establishment expenses
of the banks as on March 31st 2012, which will be taken as the basis
for calculations in the ensuing wage revision exercise. According to the data,
the total establishment expenditure/wage bill of the public sector banks as on
31-03-2012 comes to Rs.56,292 crores for workmen and officers put together.

The
IBA also submitted the following Management issues for discussions by UFBU.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Unwarranted
provocations and attacks on trade union rights in State Bank of India

Genesis of the
Issue:

The
new Chairman took charge of the bank during April 2011. In May 2011, there was
a meeting between the leaders of the Federation /Circle Association wherein we
had been assured to look into all the outstanding issues with the Federation and
a few issues were flagged for urgent consideration.

Ø Since then there was no real progress in addressing the issues though
a few meeting was held.

Ø The Federation was compelled to issue a strike notice to strike on 8th
and 10th November 2011. The strike was withdrawn on 5th
November 2011 on the assurance of the management that discussions will remain
and positive view will be taken on all the issues.

Ø Contrary to the assurances the top Management’s attitude towards the
Federation changed and every action of Federation was treated with disdain.

Ø Top Management personnel in all the Circles who used to participate in
Association functions have now withdrawn from participation at the direction of
the Chairman.

Ø All bi-partite forums like Central/Circle Negotiating Councils were
not conducted at regular intervals.

Present Crisis:-

Ø During August 22nd and 23rd
of 2012 United Forum of Bank Unions called for a strike on number of issues
including 5 day week in banking Sector,
in which we participated.

Ø When there was so much of aspiration amongst the membership for 5 day
week, the announcement by the Chairman of having seven day banking in State
Bank of India
came as a rude shock.

Ø There was a spontaneous expression of the apprehension by the
membership and to bring to the attention of the top Management a peaceful lunch
time demonstration was conducted all over the country in administrative offices on 28th
August 2012.

Saturday, February 2, 2013

The
meeting welcomed the joint call of all Central Trade Unions for the nationwide
General Strike on 20th and 21st February, 2013 against
the anti people, anti labour, Neo-liberal economic policies being pursued by
the government.

Hence the
meeting decided that in continuation of struggles against the economic policies
of the Government, UFBU should support the call of the Central Trade Unions and
join the nationwide 2 days strike on 20th and 21st
February, 2013.Accordingly, strike notice is being served on the IBA and all
our units are requested to observe the strike call in all the banks all over
the country including the RRBs and Co-operative Banks.